Seasonal themes are typical in pre-K classes. By using them, teachers can capitalize on events children are already excited about, such as holidays. Children love to talk about decorations in their homes and share how their families celebrate. When planning a holiday or seasonal theme, include seasonal crafts, cooking lessons and literacy activities. Read books about the season, and invite children to draw and tell their own stories. Include children who do not celebrate the upcoming holiday for religious or cultural reasons by providing them with crafts to do.
Science themes in pre-K usually focus either on an environment or a group of living things, for example, insects, ocean animals and forests. Choose a theme with which children are somewhat familiar and build on their background knowledge. Use art paper to create a basic mural of the environment, and attach the animals or other items children create to turn your classroom into the place the class is studying. Engage kinesthetic learners -- those who learn by moving and acting out -- by having children imitate the animals the class is studying.
Community themes can incorporate topics including safety, money, family and transportation, as well as social skills. Choose a specific aspect such as community helpers and businesses. Invite community members such as police officers or mail carriers to talk to your class about their jobs. Set up the dramatic play area with props for various roles so students can explore the community through pretend play. Schedule a field trip to a grocery store or public library so students can practice their new community skills.
A theme based on a book or author does not have to be limited to reading and writing lessons. Choose a picture book author with a distinctive writing or illustrating style, and encourage students to identify or imitate certain elements. Incorporate numeracy skills by having children measure and count pages for their own books, or sort and organize books in the classroom library. Help students make masks for book characters and act out their favorite scenes. Invite families to come and read stories with the class or to see the children act out their scenes.